2.6 The Causes of Learning Difficulty to Pupils with Physical Disability

According Westwood (2004), the general learning difficulties can occur as a result of any combination of the following influences.

• Inadequate or in appropriate teaching
• Irrelevant and unsuitable curriculum
•  Poor classroom environment
• Poor relationship between student and teacher
• Poor school attendance
• Health problems
• Loss of confidence
• Emotional or behavioural problems
• Intentional difficulties

2.7 Barriers in Educating Children with Disabilities

According UNESCO report (2009) the perceived barriers to educating children with disabilities may be physical, social or financial. These barriers are categorizing as follows:

(a)   Policy and system factors

·         Discriminatory policy actually segregates children with disabilities and prevents them attending school or professional training including teaching.

·         No specific policy on disability or education of children with disabilities.

·         Limited training of teachers in working with children with disabilities; no incentives for teachers to do so.

·         Poor school support services, limited or no resources for schools.

(b)          Social and community factors

·         Social stigma and negative parental attitudes to disability.

·         The cost of uniform, transport, apply equally or more to disabled children particularly the poor.

(c)       School factors

·         Low school budgets resulting to lack of facilities, in accessible school building, limited support for children with disabilities.

·         Teachers have in adequate training in methodologies of teaching children with physical disability.

·         Limited awareness of disability among teachers and school staff.

According to UNESCO – IBE (http://www.ibe.unesco.org). In case of Tanzania the provision of education faces the following problems; to physical disability.

·   Lack of specialized equipment and teaching or learning materials.

·   Insufficient specialist teachers for special needs education.

·   Limited education opportunities.

·   In adequate supply of school textbooks and other instructional materials.

MBUNGU TITOP